Guesting with Matt Pinfield on New & Approved, the punk vet detailed his arduous tonsil cancer treatment, the work it took to come back from the brink and how grateful he is to be planning a tour with fellow legends, Bad Religion.
Photo by Danny Clinch
Earlier this month, punk pillars Social Distortion announced their return to the stage following frontman Mike Ness' battle with cancer. Having enduring treatment and recovery, the iconic vocalist and architect of Social Distortion has confirmed he is ready to get back in the saddle and ride out, this time with fellow legends Bad Religion.
The tandem confirmed the news of a major, North American co-headlining tour - only the second co-headliner Social Distortion has ever done in their history. The extensive trek will span through April and well into May and will mark the 40th anniversary of the seminal album, Mommy's Little Monster, which Social Distortion will perform in full each night of the run.
Guesting on Los Angeles' 95.5 show New & Approved, Ness sat opposite Matt Pinfield for a rare, comprehensive discussion about his lengthy health ordeal and the kind of gratitude he has in being able to come out on the other side. The songwriter shared that his diagnosis happened right as the band was prepping new music, halting all the work the band had done up until that point.
Ness elaborated on the course of treatment and how his recovery meant having to learn how to speak and even swallow again - framing just how significant the setback was for the iconic singer. He shared how the experience ultimately impacted his perspective as a songwriter, redefined some of his existing songs and how it also strengthened his resolve to get back to doing what he loves.
The discussion touched on the magnitude and the continued influence of Mommy's Little Monster some four decades on, with Ness recalling what those early days were like - partying all the while creating a new sound. The conversation touched on the band's enduring relevance and influence in punk and how the future seems brighter than ever with a big 2024 in the works.
Check the full interview here. The complete list of dates and cities for the Social Distorton/Bad Religion co-headliner can be found below. Get tickets - HERE
SOCIAL DISTORTION TOUR DATES
W/ Bad Religion
April 9 – Bakersfield, CA – Mechanics Bank Theater
April 10 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl
April 11 – San Diego, CA – PETCO Park
April 13 – Las Vegas, NV – Virgin Hotels Las Vegas - The Theater
April 14 – Mesa, AZ – Mesa Amphitheater
April 16 – Lubbock, TX – Lonestar Amphitheater
April 18 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
April 19 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port
April 20 – Austin, TX – Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Greenway
April 22 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
April 23 – New Orleans, LA – The Filmore Harrah’s New Orleans
April 26 – St. Augustine, FL – The Saint Augustine Amphitheatre
April 27 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live
April 28 – Clearwater, FL – Coachman Park - The Sound
April 30 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre
May 1 – North Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery Lawn
May 3 – Oxon Hill, MD – The Theater at MGM National Harbor
May 4 – New York, NY – Pier 17 The Rooftop
May 5 – Philadelphia, PA – The Filmore Philadelphia
May 7 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
May 10 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
May 11 – Detroit, MI – The Masonic Temple Theatre
May 12 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady Music Center
May 14 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave/Eagles Club - Eagles Ballroom
May 15 – West Des Moines, IA – Val Air Ballroom
May 17 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater
May 18 – Chicago, IL – Salt Shed - Indoors
May 19 – Columbus, OH – Historic Crew Stadium
w/ The Bellrays
Sept. 13 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox
Sept. 14 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox
Sept. 15 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox
Sept. 18 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
Sept. 19 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
Sept. 21 – Edmonton, AB – Midway Music Hall
Sept. 22 – Edmonton, AB – Midway Music Hall
Sept. 23 – Calgary, AB – Macewan Hall
Sept. 25 – Winnipeg, MB – Buron Cummings Theatre
Oct. 1 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
Oct. 2 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
Oct. 4 – Guelph, ON – Guelph Concert Theatre
Oct. 5 – Toronto, ON – History
Oct. 6 – Montreal, QC – M Telus
Oct. 8 – New Haven, CT – College Street Music Hall
Oct. 9 – Hampton Beach, NH – Casino Ballroom
Oct. 11 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount
Oct. 12 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theater
Oct. 13 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
Oct. 15 – Norfolk, VA – The Norva
Oct. 16 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte
Oct. 17 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
Oct. 19 – Memphis, TN – Minglewood Hall
Oct. 20 – Tulsa, OK – Cain's Ballroom
Oct. 22 – Albuquerque, NM – Rio Rancho Event Center
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